Currycomb



8. J. WHEELER.

2 Sheets Sheet 1.

Curry Comb.

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Curry Comb I Patented Jan. 22. 1861.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SARAH JANE YVHEELER, OF NE" BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT.

CURRYCOMB.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 31,199, dated January 22, 1861.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SARAH J AXE \VLIEELER, of New Britain, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and Improved Mode of Constructing Currycombs; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accom panying drawings, making part of this specification.

Figure 1, is a front view of a curry comb, with close back, constructed in my improved manner; Fig. 2, a back view thereof; Fig. 3, a transverse section, in the plane indicated by the line w 00, Figs. 1 and 2; Figs. 4, 5, and 6, views corresponding respectively with Figs. 1, 2, and 3, representing the construction as applied to producing curry combs with open backs.

Like letters designate corresponding parts in all the figures.

The nature of my invention consists in a concave curvature of the back edges of sin gle sheet-metal bars, for curry combs, of a degree sufficient to dispense with side projections, or supports, having lips or projec tions thereon for riveting to the comb back, in combination with a corresponding curvature of the back of the comb, prepared with suitable oblong holes, or perforations, to receive the lips or projections of the bars, for riveting the parts together.

The bars A, A, are constructed by cutting them out of a plate of suitable sheet-metal,

(whether of brass, iron, or steel,) with dies; having thelr teeth Z), 6, on the outer, or convex edges, and their lips, or projections a, a,

(usually three to each bar; one at each end,

and one in the center,) on the inner, or con- I cave edges, necessarily making them single, or separate, bars, and not bent in trough-like form, as is usual. The bars, when out in this curved form, on each edge, are of a uniform width, from end to end, and unlike the trough-like bars of English combs, which have a curved outer edge only, and are riveted to a flat, or uncurved, back, and consequently are deepest, or widest, in the middle. It will be seen that there is an essential saving or economy in stock, or metal, in cutting the bars singly, with this curved form on both edges; and when riveted to the back, whether an open back, or a close one, the bars have greater proportional strength or firmness, from their arched form, and are more firmly held in their position by their necessarily participates in, or correspondswith, the curvature of the concave edges of the bars, when attached transversely, and riveted to them by means of the lips or projections a, a, a, as shown in Fig. 6. If the back B. is whole, (or as it is commonly termed, close, or solid, it is then in one entire piece, as represented in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the edges projecting a little beyond the limits of the bars, so as to give secure strength to them when united. This back B, is then punched, making suitable perforations, at proper and convenient distances, for the reception of the projections a, a, on the bars, whether a greater or less number, and is then formed or curved to fit the curvature of the backs of the bars (usually on a radius of 12 inches,) the flexure of which is from side to side while from front to back, it is straight or uncurved. The curvature may be on a smaller radius than 12 inches; but should not be on a much larger radius, in order to insure the requisite strength, firmness and security of attachment, and to secure all the advantages contemplated in this invention. The greater the degree of curvature, (within limits which will not injure the efficient form of the finished comb,) the greater the leverage of resistance to side straining, and swaying, or breaking. This form of the bars and back of the curry comb, when united by their ri'vetings, presents a neat and convenient form, agreeable to the hand, as it is held in operating, devoid of that roughness and irregularity of surface that annoys in cleaning, consequent on using the ordinary rivets, and trough-like bars; and also, in the open-back comb, alfords a superior advantage for the escape of dust, and opportunity to clean, not found in other curry combs. The peculiar firmness and strength given to the bars by the curved juncture thereof with the back,'also enables them to be made of much thinner metal, thereby effecting a further saving of material. No side projections, or any other kind of side support, on the bars, are required, to give the necessary strength, so that the cost is thus again lessened, and the curry comb is improved thereby, by the absence of such obstructions. The number of manipulations in forming the bars is also reduced to the single one of cutting them out with dies; and their union with the back is accomplished by the single act of riveting. In short, the advantages of this invention comprise the cheapening of the construction in the three particulars ofeconomy of surface, of thickness, and the number and cost of manipulations; and the improvement of the article produced, in the several particulars, of a superior form, freedom from obstructing projections and roughness, superior lightness, With an equal strength, firmness and durability, and (when the open-back style is produced) of a complete open back between all the bars.

The shank for receiving the handle, and also the knockers for rapping, are attached in any of the usual forms.

I do not claim the employment of single bars, (in contradistinction to double bars united in trough-like form,) in the construction of curry combs; nor simply projections on their back edges, for riveting them to the backs; neither do I claim giving a convex form to the outer or teeth edges of the bars; nor a partially open back produced by other methods of construction than herein described; but

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is The combination of single sheet metal bars, of curry combs, having concave back edges of a suflicient degree of curvature to give the necessary firmness, and strength, without the assistance of side projections, or supports, but having rivet projections thereon, With a back of corresponding curvature,

so as to fit the concave back edges of said bars, and either made of a single piece, so as to be close, or of separate pieces, so as to be open and unobstructed between all the bars, substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein specified.

SARAH JANE WHEELER.

lVitnesses CLARK J ACOBS, LAFAYETTE CLARKE. 

